Rock legends AC/DC announce founding member Malcolm Young will not return to the band

THE band revealed that the guitarist will not return to the band for their upcoming album and tour after taking a break due to illness earlier this year.

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AC/DC band members Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, Angus Young and Brian Johnson in 2011

GUITARIST Malcolm Young is to leave rock legends AC/DC because of illness.

A message on the band’s website said they’d go on without the 61-year-old, with their new album, Rock or Bust set to be released in December.

The Scottish/Australian band also revealed that Young's nephew will take his place on their upcoming tour.

It said: “Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition, he will not be returning to the band.

“AC/DC will undertake a world tour in support of Rock or Bust in 2015. Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, plays rhythm guitar on Rock or Bust and will accompany the band on tour.”

In 1963, aged 10, Malcolm Young emigrated from Glasgow to Sydney, Australia with his family.

He formed AC/DC in 1973 with his younger brother Angus, who is renown for performing in school uniform.

The band has previously survived the death of fellow Scottish-born singer Bon Scott, who died in 1980 after a night of heavy drinking in London.

Scott was replaced by Brian Johnson, who has continued as the group's lead vocalist since.

Rumours that the rockers were planning to retire emerged earlier this year after fears were raised over Young's health.

Singer Johnson, 66, revealed in February that the band had delayed recording a new album due to a member's health problems, but were hoping to tour in celebration of their 40th anniversary.

He said: “One of our boys was pretty ill, so we didn’t like to say anything, and we’re very private about things like this, so we didn’t want to say anything.

“And he’s a very proud man. But I think we’ll be going into the studio in May in Vancouver. It’s been 40 years of the band’s existence, so I think we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty.

"So, like I said, we’ll have to go out, even though we’re getting a bit long in the tooth."

AC/DC 's latest release Black Ice topped the charts in 2008 and was only their third album since 1990.